Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device has a screen, a housing, a mirror, and a projector. The housing extending away from one side of the screen and has an opening. The mirror is disposed within the housing. The projector is moveable relative to the housing to selectively engage the opening for projection at the mirror and to extend away from a second side of the screen for projection onto a surface.

BACKGROUND

Rear projection display devices and projector display devices are useful for displaying images and video streams. Examples of their uses include television and presentations. It is often desirable to have both a rear projection display device and a projector display device in order to take advantage of the best qualities of each. Owning one of each type of these display devices is more expensive and uses a larger amount of space than owning only one of these devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front orthogonal diagram illustrating a first position of one embodiment of the display device for projecting an image alternatively onto a remote surface and a rear projection screen.

FIG. 2 is a front orthogonal diagram illustrating a second position of the embodiment of the display device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of the embodiment of the display device in the position shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of the embodiment of the display device in the position shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method for converting a display device from a rear projection display device into a front projection display device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method for converting a display device from a front projection display device into a rear projection display device.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of a method for converting a display device from a rear projection display device into a front projection display device.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of a method for converting a display device from a front projection display device into a rear projection display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of the display device 2. Display device 2 alternatively projects an image onto remote surface 4 and rear projection screen 6. In one embodiment, the display device 2 includes rear projection screen 6, base 8, housing 10, mirror 12, and projector 14.

Base 8 supports projector 14 and, in one configuration, rear projection screen 6 and housing 10. Base 8 is any suitable size and shape. In one embodiment, base 8 is shaped to receive housing 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

In one embodiment, drawer 16 is supported within base 8. Projector 14 is sized to fit within drawer 16 and configured to partially emerge from drawer 16 to project an image. In one embodiment, projector 16 partially emerges by vertically pivoting within drawer 16.

Rear projection screen 6 is any screen useful for receiving a projection on one side and transmitting the projection through to its other side. As points of reference, screen 6 includes forward side 6 a and rearward side 6 b. Rear projection screen 6 is mounted on base 8. In one embodiment, rear projection screen 6 is mounted on base 8 indirectly through housing 10. In an alternate embodiment, rear projection screen 6 is mounted directly to base 8.

Rear projection screen 6 is either detachable from or moveable on base 8 so that rear projection screen 6 may be disposed out of the projection path of projector 14. In one embodiment where rear projection screen 6 is moveable on base 8, rear projection screen 6 is pivotable on base 8 between an upright position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and a lowered position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Housing 10 extends rearward of rear projection screen 6, or away from side 6 a of screen 6. Housing 10 supports mirror 12. In one embodiment, housing 10 encloses mirror 12 and one side of rear projection screen 6.

An opening 18 is formed in housing 10 for receiving projector 14. Projector 14 projects through opening 18 onto mirror 12.

Mirror 12 is any light reflecting surface. Mirror 12 is disposed within housing 10 and angled to reflect light from projector 14 onto rear projection screen 6. Although only one mirror 12 is illustrated in the Figures, any number of mirrors 12 may be used to channel the light from projector 14 onto rear projection screen 6.

Projector 14 is mounted on base 8 and is moveable relative to base 8. In one position, projector 14 engages opening 18 for projection through opening 18 at mirror 12. In another position, projector 14 extends forward of rear projection screen 6, or away from side 6b of screen 6, for projection onto surface 4.

In one embodiment, projector 14 includes a lens 20. Lens 20 is adjustable to focus selectively on rear projection screen 6 and surface 4 depending on the configuration of display device 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing steps of an embodiment of a method. Although the steps represented in FIG. 5 are presented in a specific order, the disclosed subject matter encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in FIG. 5 without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Housing 10 of display device 2 is removed 22 from around projector 14. In one embodiment, removing 22 housing 10 includes removing housing 10 from base 8. In an alternate embodiment, removing 22 housing 10 of display device 2 from around projector 14 includes pivoting housing 10 on base 8 to expose projector 14.

Projector 14 repositions 24 forward within base 8. In one embodiment, projector 14 repositions 24 within drawer 16. Alternatively, projector 14 repositions 24 without drawer 16.

Additional optional steps may be implemented. For example, in one embodiment, lens 20 of projector 14 is adjusted 26 to focus on surface 4. In another optional step, an aspect ratio of projector 14 is adjusted 28 between 4:3 and 16:9. A further optional step is vertically pivoting 30 projector 14. Projector 14 is vertically pivoted 30 to project onto surface 4.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing steps of another embodiment of a method, reversing the sequence and effect of the steps in FIG. 5. Although the steps represented in FIG. 6 are presented in a specific order, the disclosed subject matter encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in FIG. 6 without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Projector 14 repositions 32 rearward within base 8. In one embodiment, projector 14 repositions 32 within drawer 16. Alternatively, projector 14 repositions 32 without drawer 16.

Projector 14 is enclosed 34 within housing 10 of display device 2. In one embodiment, projector 14 is enclosed 34 within housing 10 by mounting housing 10 to base 8 and about projector 14. In an alternate embodiment, projector 14 is enclosed 34 within housing 10 by pivoting housing 10 on base 8 to enclose projector 14.

Additional optional steps may be implemented. For example, in one embodiment, lens 20 of projector 14 is adjusted 36 to focus on rear projection screen 6. In another optional step, an aspect ratio of projector 14 is adjusted 38 between 16:9 and 4:3. A further optional step is vertically pivoting 40 projector 14. Projector 14 is vertically pivoted 40 to project onto rear projection screen 6.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart representing steps of another embodiment of a method. Although the steps represented in FIG. 7 are presented in a specific order, the disclosed subject matter encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in FIG. 7 without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Projector 14 is disengaged 42 from opening 18 in housing 10. Housing 10 and screen 6 are positioned 44 for allowing projector 14 to project to surface 4. In one embodiment, positioning 44 housing 10 and screen 6 includes removing housing 10 and screen 6 from base 8 to expose projector 14. In an alternate embodiment, positioning 44 housing 10 and screen 6 includes pivoting housing 10 on base 8 to expose projector 14.

Additional optional steps may be implemented. For example, in one embodiment, lens 20 of projector 14 is adjusted 26 to focus on surface 4. In another optional step, an aspect ratio of projector 14 is adjusted 28 between 4:3 and 16:9. A further optional step is vertically pivoting 30 projector 14. Projector 14 is vertically pivoted 30 to project onto surface 4.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart representing steps of another embodiment of a method, reversing the sequence and effect of the steps in FIG. 7. Although the steps represented in FIG. 8 are presented in a specific order, the disclosed subject matter encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in FIG. 8 without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Housing 10 and screen 6 are positioned 46 for allowing projector 14 to project to screen 6. In one embodiment, housing 10 and screen 6 are positioned 46 by mounting housing 10 to base 8. In an alternate embodiment, housing 10 and screen 6 are positioned 46 by pivoting housing 10 on base 8. Projector 14 is engaged 48 with opening 18 in housing 10.

Additional optional steps may be implemented. For example, in one embodiment, lens 20 of projector 14 is adjusted 36 to focus on rear projection screen 6. In another optional step, an aspect ratio of projector 14 is adjusted 38 between 16:9 and 4:3. A further optional step is vertically pivoting 40 projector 14. Projector 14 is vertically pivoted 40 to project onto rear projection screen 6.

The foregoing description is only illustrative of some embodiments. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variances. 

1. A display device, comprising: a screen; a housing having an opening and extending away from a first side of the screen; a mirror disposed within the housing; and a projector moveable relative to the housing to selectively engage the opening for projection at the mirror and to extend away from a second side of the screen for projection onto a surface.
 2. The display device of claim 1 further including a base to which the screen is mounted.
 3. The display device of claim 2 wherein the screen is pivotable on the base.
 4. The display device of claim 2 wherein the screen is detachable from the base.
 5. The display device of claim 1 further including a base to which the projector is mounted.
 6. The display device of claim 1 wherein the mirror is angled to reflect light from the projector onto the screen.
 7. The display device of claim 1 wherein the projector moveable relative to the housing to selectively engage the opening for projection at the mirror includes the projector moveable relative to the housing to selectively engage the opening for projection through the opening at the mirror.
 8. The display device of claim 1 wherein the projector includes a lens adjustable to focus selectively on the screen and the surface.
 9. The display device of claim 1 wherein the projector is further vertically pivotable.
 10. A display device for projecting an image alternatively onto a remote surface and a rear projection screen, the display device comprising: a base; a rear projection screen mounted on the base; a housing extending rearward of the rear projection screen, the housing having an opening formed therein; a projector mounted on the base; means for selectively engaging the projector with the opening for projection through the opening at the mirror and extend the projector forward of the rear projection screen for projection onto the remote surface; and means for reflecting light emitted into the housing from the projector onto the rear projection screen.
 11. The display device of claim 10 wherein the means selectively exposing the projector engaging the projector within the opening include means for pivoting the rear projection screen and the housing on the base.
 12. The display device of claim 10 wherein the means selectively exposing the projector and engaging the projector within the opening include means for removing the rear projection screen and the housing from the base.
 13. The display device of claim 10 wherein the rear projection screen is detachable from the housing.
 14. The display device of claim 10 further including means for focusing light emitted from the projector selectively on the rear projection screen and the remote surface.
 15. The display device of claim 10 further including means for adjusting an aspect ratio of the projector between 4:3 and 16:9.
 16. The display device of claim 10 further including means for vertically pivoting the projector.
 17. A method for converting a display device, comprising: removing a housing of the display device from around a projector supported in a base of the display device and repositioning the projector forward within the base.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein removing the housing of the display device from around the projector includes removing the housing from the base.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein removing the housing of the display device from around the projector includes pivoting the housing on the base.
 20. The method of claim 17 further including adjusting a lens of the projector to focus on a remote surface.
 21. The method of claim 17 further including adjusting an aspect ratio of the projector between 4:3 and 16:9.
 22. The method of claim 17 further including vertically pivoting the projector.
 23. A method for converting a display device, comprising: repositioning a projector rearward within a base and enclosing the projector within a housing of the display device supported in the base of the display device.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein enclosing the projector within the housing of the display device supported in the base of the display device includes mounting the housing to the base.
 25. The method of claim 23 wherein enclosing the projector within the housing of the display device supported in the base of the display device includes pivoting the housing on the base.
 26. The method of claim 23 further including adjusting a lens of the projector to focus on a rear projection screen mounted on the base.
 27. The method of claim 23 further including adjusting an aspect ratio of the projector between 16:9 and 4:3.
 28. The method of claim 23 further including vertically pivoting the projector.
 29. A display device, comprising: a screen; a housing having an opening and attached to the screen with the housing and the screen movable between a first position and a second position; and a projector to engage the opening for projection to the screen with the housing and the screen in the first position and to disengage from the opening for projection onto a surface with the housing and the screen in the second position.
 30. The display device of claim 29 further including a mirror configured to reflect light from the projector onto the screen.
 31. The display device of claim 29 further including a base to which the screen and housing are pivotally mounted.
 32. The display device of claim 29 further including a base upon which the screen and housing are detachably mounted.
 33. The display device of claim 29 wherein the projector is moveable to engage the opening and to disengage from the opening.
 34. The display device of claim 29 wherein the projector includes a lens adjustable to focus selectively on the screen and the surface.
 35. The display device of claim 29 wherein the projector is further vertically pivotable.
 36. A display device, comprising: a screen; a housing having an opening and attached to the screen with the housing and the screen movable between a first position and a second position; means for moving the screen between the first position and the second position; a projector to engage the opening for projection to the screen with the housing and the screen in the first position and to disengage from the opening for projection onto a surface with the housing and the screen in the second position; and means for engaging and disengaging the projector from the opening.
 37. A method for converting a display device, comprising: disengaging a projector from an opening in a housing; and positioning the housing and a screen for allowing the projector to project to a surface.
 38. The method of claim 37 wherein disengaging the housing and the screen includes pivoting the housing and the screen on a base.
 39. The method of claim 37 further including adjusting a lens of the projector to focus on the surface.
 40. The method of claim 37 further including adjusting an aspect ratio of the projector between 4:3 and 16:9.
 41. The method of claim 37 further including vertically pivoting the projector.
 42. A method for converting a display device, comprising: positioning a housing and a screen for allowing a projector to project to the screen; and engaging the projector with an opening in the housing.
 43. The method of claim 42 wherein engaging the housing and the screen includes pivoting the housing and the screen on a base.
 44. The method of claim 42 further including adjusting a lens of the projector to focus on the screen.
 45. The method of claim 42 further including adjusting an aspect ratio of the projector between 16:9 and 4:3.
 46. The method of claim 42 further including vertically pivoting the projector. 